The first Vietnamese pilot to shoot down the B-52 'flying fortress': Patriotism is the source of strength

Worthy of being Vietnamese youth

In the space of the Vietnam Military History Museum - one of the National Museums, leading the Military Museum system, currently preserves more than 150,000 artifacts. Of which, there are 4 National Treasures associated with the history of fighting against the US, saving the country, including: Ho Chi Minh Campaign Determination Map, T-54B tank number 843, MiG-21 aircraft number 4324 and MiG-21 aircraft number 5121.

The MiG-21 aircraft with serial number 5121 is associated with the feat of shooting down the B-52 aircraft , of Lieutenant General, Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Hero of Labor Pham Tuan - former Director General of the General Department of Defense Industry, former Party Secretary, former Deputy Political Commander of the Air Force, in the battle on the night of December 27, 1972, in the "Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" Campaign.

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan , delegates, children and recruits take photos next to MiG-21 aircraft numbered 5121 at the Vietnam Military History Museum. Photo: Xuan Tung

Hero Pham Tuan was the first pilot to shoot down a B-52, considered an invulnerable "flying fortress" of the US Air Force, in the " Hanoi - Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign.

At this special space, on February 11, Lieutenant General Pham Tuan recalled many memories and heroic stories of fighting with his comrades, winning, regaining independence and freedom for the nation, strongly inspiring young people and new recruits.

Recalling the sortie on the night of December 27, 1972, Lieutenant General Pham Tuan said that he piloted the plane taking off from Yen Bai airport, flying low following a secret ground guidance station to approach the enemy escort squadron.

When reaching an altitude of 7km, the ground control station reported that B-52s were flying towards Hanoi. The equipment reported that the distance between his plane and the B-52s decreased rapidly, from 200km, 100km, then only about 10km. When he was less than 4km from the target, pilot Pham Tuan requested an attack and the command station agreed. However, his intuition told him to get closer.

At supersonic speed, the MiG-21 was getting closer and closer to the "flying fortress" on its way to attack the capital Hanoi. With his intelligence, courage and creativity, pilot Pham Tuan shot down the American B-52.

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan talks about the battle on the night of December 27, 1972. Clip: Xuan Tung

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan shared at the exchange "Aspiration to contribute - Firm steps towards the future" under the program Meeting with young volunteers leaving for military service and outstanding discharged soldiers in 2025. Photo: Xuan Tung

From the story of destroying the impregnable "flying fortress", hero Pham Tuan shared: "When I joined the army , I never thought I would become a pilot or a hero, I just strived to be a good soldier". He made efforts, studied, trained with a strict spirit of discipline and then became the hero who destroyed the first American B-52 aircraft, the first Vietnamese to fly into space for 7 days.

“The greatest goal of a soldier is to fight and win. In all circumstances, one must be determined to achieve that goal. Therefore, each soldier must develop good character, strong determination and creativity,” Lieutenant General Pham Tuan shared.

According to hero Pham Tuan, the determination of a soldier comes from love for his homeland, country, parents, fields, and the smallest things. That is the source of strength for us to rise up and achieve great feats.

“Every young person needs to nurture the spirit of patriotism, love of socialism, study and work well, have will and be creative in all circumstances. That is the model of the youth of the new era.”

In advising young people about to join the army , Lieutenant General Pham Tuan emphasized the need to persevere and make efforts to train to achieve feats, with the motto "sweat on the training ground, bleed less on the battlefield".

He said that before flying into space, he was met by Party and State leaders. During the meeting, Party and State leaders emphasized and advised: as Vietnamese youth, you are proud of your fathers' traditions; this time, you must try to fulfill your mission worthy of being Vietnamese youth. These instructions contain many messages, inspirations, and strong motivations for us to confidently take off into space.

We were given the national flag, a handful of soil in the historic Ba Dinh district, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a copy of Uncle Ho's Will and a Vietnamese postmark. We successfully completed the mission of planting the Vietnamese flag in space, affirming that the Vietnamese people were present in space. It was our love for our homeland and our pride that helped us overcome everything to complete all tasks," said Lieutenant General Pham Tuan.

Lieutenant General Pham Tuan and new recruits at the program. Photo: Xuan Tung

Continuing the tradition of our ancestors

Listening to the inspiring stories shared by hero Pham Tuan, new recruits in Hanoi preparing to leave for military service and discharged soldiers were inspired with youthful enthusiasm.

Luu Thanh Vy - a new female soldier in Dong Da district is the one who volunteered to join the army this year. Vy graduated from the National Economics University and is studying for a master's degree at the school.

“Putting my dreams and future career plans on hold was a difficult decision for me, but there were many things that strongly motivated me to put down my pen and hit the road , such as my love for my homeland and country, my desire to contribute; my father was also a member of the Vietnam People’s Army. Becoming a female soldier is a source of pride and a very beautiful image,” Vy said.

The female recruit said that her family was very supportive of this decision and revealed that she already had a lover. Her boyfriend encouraged her to confidently join the army and wait for the day they would return together.

Luu Thanh Vy - a new female soldier from Dong Da district shared at the program. Photo: Xuan Tung

Le Hong Phuc - a typical discharged soldier (Dan Phuong district) also brought an emotional story. He graduated from Hanoi Pedagogical University, majoring in Political Education. He wrote an application to join the army when he was a teacher at Phan Huy Chu High School, Quoc Oai District.

The biggest motivation for him to temporarily put aside his work and dreams was also his love for his homeland and his pride in the heroic tradition of the nation. During his 2 years in the army, he trained hard, completed his tasks excellently and was admitted to the Party. For Phuc, that was one of the greatest marks of maturity that the military environment brought him.

Le Hong Phuc - a typical discharged soldier, shared at the program. Photo: Xuan Tung